I saw many of my peers leave the force after command. In my experience, I found that recruiters were getting better at targeting certain officers. There were fellow officers who had anywhere from 2-6 deployments and at the end of the day were wore out.  You also have to consider the appeal of going back to school with the GI Bill. I was surprised…[Read more]

Team, the series can be followed through the search bar with “Student to Lieutenant,” or the first few posts here:

Student to Lieutenant

Student to Lieutenant pt.2

Student to Lieutenant pt.3

I hope you keep…[Read more]

Have you experienced this pull between serving the unit and leading your Soldiers? How did you balance this contradiction? Was it even a contradiction for you?

As a tank platoon leader, I routinely griped with other leaders as to the demands put on us by Battalion. When I became distribution platoon leader, I began to see the larger picture as I…[Read more]

1) I have never attempted deception as a Platoon Leader as a tank/scout/distro PL. In the mechanized world, I feel that every action is deliberate and leaders believe that ground will be contested simply because the mission is an attack, or that the enemy will attack, since the mission anticipates a defense. This mentality limits creativity, suc…[Read more]

Awesome! Could you go into more detail or even add a video link (YouTube)? What aspects jumped out at you? Was there a behavior a character consistently models to show a result you highlighted to your Soldiers? What jumped out to them?

Ah, politics… Both a pro (if you’re in the in) and a con (if you’re in the out). Personally, I learned a long time ago that you have to learn to play the politics game; one way or another. You learn to play, or it will crush you. However, as you said, in order to be successful and still maintain your professionalism, learn to play the game but…[Read more]

On of the best I’ve seen, and actually blew Soldiers away when I show them is an old one called The Devil’s Brigade, 1968, staring William Holden, Cliff Robertson, and Vince Edwards. It’s an excellent example of planning, preparation, and execution, as well as a character driven, opposed to special effects driven story.

@ae_rollinson, thanks for the additions and AG perspective.

For those interested, check out the post/tools for Letters of Introduction. These should absolutely be sent before every new assignment. Templates are provided in this discussion thread. Definitely a best practice!

Letter of Introduction to CO

Dallas,

As an OC/T I can tell you the biggest issue I witness with LOG units is how we effectively secure ourselves. It warms my heart to see you training this important Collective Task. Task and Evaluation Outline (TEO) 63-CO-0727, Conduct Unit Defense, is what we use to evaluate units at all CTC rotations. If you go through the TEO, it will l…[Read more]

To echo @ae_rollinson, check the JTR or even check out MilSuite/book.

I’m curious on other’s thoughts on their in-processing experiences with other BOLCs. I also wonder how much of this is specific to the post you experienced BOLC at versus other posts.

So! I’ll start off about Fort Jackson for AG BOLC. I don’t remember too much about my in processing at BOLC (being a few years ago), except that my leave form…[Read more]

Love this post, Brock! Thanks for clarifying a confusing and/or complicated process in simplest terms.

Can you clarify more on the policy you’re looking for, what’s the specific question you’re trying to answer? Also, have you reviewed Joint Travel Regulation (edition FY15)?

Logisticus – thank you for the great input. You mentioned some golden nuggets in here that I forgot to mention that I wish I would have done prior to taking the guidon.

1. An organized property book, hand-receipts  etc are definitely critical. Do this to save yourself pain and time in the long run folks! I could have done better.

2. Company S…[Read more]